I learnt how to say “or” in Te Reo Māori recently. Basically, you list the options and then put rānei at the end.

Rānei essentially tells the listening that the list of things are options, not

If you’ve done any computer programming or used advanced search functions, this might make sense

OR (Option A, Option B, Option 3) = Option 1 OR Option 2 OR Option 3 = Option 1, Option 2, Option 3 rānei

Anyway, the interesting bit is this:

When we learn new grammar structures, my kaiako (teacher) challenges us to come up with sentences/phrases that we can actually use in our context.

I have two young children and often use (the illusion of) choice to get them to do things.

Like the following:

Kei te pānui, kei te tākaro rānei? - (Would you like to) read or play?

Kei te matekai, kei te hōhā rānei? - (Are you) hungry or grumpy?

Kei te matekai, kei te pōuri rānei? - (Are you) hungry or sad?

He tōhi, he Ricies, he Weetbix rānei? - (Would you like) toast, Ricies or Weetbix?

The Reo Project | Day 205

Welcome to my little corner of the internet.

I believe that place matters.

Our connection to whatever little corner of the planet we find ourselves in, or choose to place ourselves on, matters.

I'm relentlessly curious and continually learning.

My interests are scattered across topics including property, strategy, acoustics, psychology, theology, systems theory, quantum physics and leadership. I read, listen, watch, and learn about whatever grabs my attention in the moment.

This is a learning experiment.

I come here to try to make sense of something I’ve come across, by writing about it.

I’m immersing myself in a new language.

I’m learning to speak Te Reo Māori, the language of the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand and one of our official languages. After spending 2020 studying, I’m figuring out how to keep the journey going outside the classroom.

You’re welcome to follow along.